Hanging garment container

• US 4,576,280 A
• Filed: 04/05/1984
• Issued: 03/18/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DOVE, ANNA-LEENA 7926 -
• Original Assignee: Anna Lena Dove
• Inventors: Dove, Doublas J. A., Nelson, Raymond F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixson, Jr., William T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ehrhardt, Brenda J.
• Application Number:
  US06/597,223
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 206/9, 206/279, 206/280, 206/282, 206/284, 206/285, 206/289, 206/290, 206/298, 206/300, 248/57, 248/216.1, 248/220.1, 403/232.1, 403/230
• US Class Current: 206/289
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/5092 Wooden elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/185 Containers for shipping garments on hangers travelling or trunk wardrobes A47B61/06
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/12 Fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates, e.g. rubber strips, decorative strips for motor vehicles, by means of clips friction- grip releasable fastenings in general F16B2/00; fastening rods or tubular parts to flat surfaces at an angle F16B9/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 7/0486 forming an abutting connection of at least one tube
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 9/05 by way of an intermediate member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/46 Rod end to transverse side of member

Abstract

A container for use in shipping garments on hangers has four surrounding walls, preferably, of multiple wall, corrugated kraft board. Dependently connected flaps which form a bottom for the container are arranged to permit shipment of the box in a collapsed condition. An entry flap provided on the front wall of the container is movable between a raised and lowered position. A lid for the container with depending sides is provided. A support structure is provided inside the container. It includes a horizontal support member preferably of wood supported at either end by vertical support members preferably of wood. The support members are held in position by securement plates. The sheet metal securement plates are formed into u-shaped clips which engage the side walls. A central tongue on each clip extends outwardly at an angle. An opening in the tongues receive the horizontal support member. The lower edges of the tongues form and engage in kerfs in the tops of the vertical support members. Prongs or notches in the tongues prevent relative movement of the support members. One embodiment of the tongue structure has openings which captively secure the support members. Several different arrangements for securing the support members together and to the container are provided. Load distribution plates with slippage prevention features support the vertical support members. Ropes are looped over the horizontal support members and knotted at spaced intervals.

Claims

1. A hanging garment container comprising:

(a) a panel structure forming a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls connecting the front and rear walls and having a connected planar bottom structure for the container to create an open top container;

(b) a hanging garment support structure including a horizontal support member extendable across the top of the open top container between opposite side walls;

(c) a pair of vertical support members each for supporting an opposite end of the horizontal member and each supportable on the bottom of the open top container at their lower ends; and

(d) means for securing the ends of the horizontal member to the side walls to prevent relative movement and for securing the tops of the vertical members to prevent relative movement wherein the securement means comprises a pair of brackets, one at each end of the horizontal support member, each bracket connected to one of the vertical support members, and each bracket simultaneously securing the horizontal support member to the associated side wall and securing the top of the associated vertical support members against movement relative to the horizontal member.

2. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pair of weight distribution plates each securable to the lower end of a vertical support member in order to distribute loads carried by the vertical support members wherein each weight distribution plate includes an upward projecting punched prong for securing the weight distribution plate to the end of the associated vertical support member, includes a downward projecting punched prong for securing the weight distribution plate to the bottom of the container to prevent relative movement, and is sized to be substantially narrower in width than the container.

3. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member securement means comprises a bracket having a panel positionable on the interior of a side wall of the container, means for securing the bracket panel to the side wall of the container, and an tongue connected to and projecting from the bracket panel which engages the horizontal support member and a vertical support member.

4. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support member securement bracket further comprises a tongue having a central opening therein which closely receives an end of the horizontal support member.

5. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the central tongue of the support securement bracket extends angularly outward from the bracket panel and has a down turned end which engages the top of the vertical support member to form a kerf therein.

6. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tongue has a lower section along the bottom of the central opening which includes means for securing the horizontal support member to prevent relative movement.

7. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the horizontal support member securement means on the tongue comprises an integral prong which engages the horizontal support member.

8. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the horizontal support member securement means on the tongue comprises an upper edge of the lower section of the tongue defining a notch which has sloped corners which bind into the horizontal support member.

9. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tongue has a lower section which includes means for securing the vertical support member to prevent relative movement.

10. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 9, wherein the vertical support member securement means on the tongue comprises a lower edge of the lower section of the tongue which defines a notch having sloped sides which bind into the vertical support member to prevent relative movement.

11. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tongue on the support member securement bracket includes a section outwardly projecting from the bracket panel and having a lateral opening therein for closely receiving an end of the horizontal support member and a horizontal section in said tongue connected to the outwardly projecting section and having an opening therein for closely receiving the top of a vertical support member.

12. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 1, having a pair of parallel, horizontal support members extendable across the top of the open topped container between opposite side walls and each having an associated pair of vertical support members for supporting opposite ends of the associated horizontal member and supportable on the bottom of the open topped container at the lower ends and each including an associated means for securing the ends of the associated horizontal member to the side walls to prevent relative movement and for securing the tops of the associated vertical members to prevent relative movement wherein each securement means comprises a pair of brackets, one at each end of the associated horizontal support member, each bracket connected to one of the associated vertical support members, and each bracket simultaneously securing the associated horizontal support member to the associated side wall and securing the top of the associated vertical support member against movement relative to the horizontal member.

13. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walls of the container are dependently connected and there are a plurality of depending flaps extending from the bottom of the side walls which are securable together to form the bottom of the container and which permit shipment of the container in a collapsed condition to its point of initial use.

14. A hanging garment containers, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

(a) an integral, access flap in one side wall of the container which permits easy access to the interior of the container; and

(b) a lid for enclosing the top of the container having depending side panels.

18. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member securement means comprises a bracket having a panel positionable on the interior of a side wall of the container, means for securing the bracket panel to the side wall of the container including an integral member engaging the side wall, and a pair of vertically aligned, spaced tabs connected to the bracket panel which project outwardly from the panel, each having ends turned inwardly toward the ends of the other to form an enclosure which captively receives a vertical support member.

19. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 18, wherein the horizontal support member is narrower in its transverse dimension than the vertical member and wherein the tabs have sections which closely receive opposite sides of a vertical support member and wherein the ends of the tabs which project toward each other are spaced to closely receive the opposite sides of the horizontal support member.

20. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 19, wherein the ends of the tabs which project inward include teeth which engage opposite side surfaces of the horizontal support member to captively secure the horizontal support member.

21. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 20, wherein the tabs integrally depend from the panel to which they are connected.

22. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 18, wherein the support member securement bracket further includes a horizontally aligned tab which is connected to and projects out from the bracket panel between the opposing tabs and having at least one prong thereon which projects downward to engage the top of the vertical support member and at least one prong thereon which projects upward to engage the horizontal support member to secure them against relative movement.

23. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member securement means comprises a bracket having a panel positionable on the interior of a side wall of the container, means for securing the bracket panel to the side wall of the containers, and a horizontally aligned tab which is connected to and projects out from the bracket panel and having a least one prong thereon which projects downward to engage the top of the vertical support member and at least one prong thereon which projects upward to engage the horizontal support member to secure them against relative movement.

24. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member securement means comprises a bracket having a panel, positionable on the interior of a side wall of the container, means for securing the bracket panel to the side wall of the container, and a projection which is connected to and extends outward from the bracket plate and then downward to form a leg passable through the horizontal member and into the vertical member to secure them against relative movement.

25. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 24, wherein the downward leg of the projection has a tapered end to permit the projection to be driven into the top of the vertical support member.

26. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 24, wherein the projection is integral to the bracket panel.

15. A hanging garment container comprising:

(a) a panel structure forming a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls connecting the front and rear walls and having a connected planar bottom structure for the container to create an open top container;

(b) a hanging garment support structure including a horizontal support member extendable across the top of the open top container between opposite side walls;

(c) a pair of vertical support members each for supporting an opposite end of the horizontal member and each supportable on the bottom of the open to container at their lower ends; and

(d) means for securing the ends of the horizontal member to the side walls to prevent relative movement and for securing the tops of the vertical members to prevent relative movement wherein the support member securement means includes a pair of juxtaposed elements secured to the interior of the side wall of the container, each element having a first interior edge portion which is opposed to the other and together define a slot for closely receiving a vertical support member to secure it against relative movement, and each element having a second interior edge portion which is opposed to the other defining a slot for closely receiving the end of the horizontal support member to secure it against relative movement.

16. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the securement elements are composed of a deformable, resilient material which will deform to receive the support members and resiliently engage their surfaces after insertion into the slots to captively hold them.

17. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the panel structure, forming the open top container is made of corrugated board and wherein the securement elements are of multi-layered corrugated board secured to the interior side wall of the container.

27. A hanging garment container comprising:

(a) a panel structure forming a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls connecting the front and rear walls and having a connected planar bottom structure for the container to create an open top container;

(b) a hanging garment support structure including a horizontal support member extendable across the top of the open top container between opposite side walls;

(c) a pair of vertical support members each for supporting an opposite end of the horizontal member and each supportable on the bottom of the open top container at their lower ends; and

(d) means for securing the ends of the horizontal member to the side walls to prevent relative movement and for securing the tops of the vertical members to prevent relative movement wherein the support member securement means comprises a bracket having a planar body section securable to a side of a vertical support member, upper surfaces defining a slot between them for receiving the horizontal support member, transverse flanges connected to the planar body along opposite sides of the slot to stiffen the bracket and directed, slightly inward to clamp the sides of the horizontal support member, and means for securing the bracket to the vertical support member.

28. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 27, wherein the transverse flanges have a bottom edge for engagement against the top of a vertical support member.

29. A hanging garment container comprising:

(a) a panel structure forming a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of opposite side walls connecting the front and rear walls and having a connected planar bottom structure for the container to create an open top container;

(b) a hanging garment support structure including a horizontal support member extendable across the top of the open top container between opposite side walls;

(c) a pair of vertical support members each for supporting an opposite end of the horizontal member and each supportable on the bottom of the open to container at their lower ends; and

(d) means for securing the ends of the horizontal member to the side walls to prevent relative movement and for securing the tops of the vertical members to prevent relative movement wherein the support member securement means comprises a bracket having a planar body having upper wall sections defining a slot for closely receiving a horizontal support member, a transversely direct tab, positionable between the horizontal support member and a vertical support member including means for engaging the bottom of the horizontal support member and securing it against relative movement and means for engaging the top of the vertical support member and securing it against relative movement, a pair of oppositely positioned lateral transverse flanges connected to the sides of the body to stiffen the bracket and to closely receive the vertical support member, and means for securing the bracket to the vertical support member.

30. A hanging garment container, as claimed in claim 29, wherein the bracket is integrally formed with the tab forming the slot and having upwardly and downwardly projecting integral prongs for engaging the support members.

31. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure, which comprises:

(a) a plate suitable for engagement against the wall structure;

(b) means for securing the plate to the wall structure; and

(c) a tongue extending outward from the plate and having an opening therein for closely receiving an end of the horizontal member and having an outer end which engages the top of the vertical member.

32. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure, as claimed in claim 31, wherein the tongue is centrally located on the bracket and extends angularly outward from the plate and has a down turned end which engages the top of the vertical member to engage a kerf formed therein.

33. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure, as claimed in claim 31, wherein the tongue has a lower section along the bottom of the central opening which includes means for securing the horizontal member to prevent relative movement.

34. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure, as claimed in claim 33, wherein the horizontal member securement means on the tongue comprises an integral prong which engages the horizontal member.

35. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure, as claimed in claim 33, wherein the horizontal member securement means on the tongue comprises an upper edge of the lower section of the tongue defining a notch which has sloped corners which bind into the horizontal member.

36. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure, as claimed in claim 31, wherein the tongue has a lower section which includes means for securing the vertical member to prevent relative movement.

37. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure, as claimed in claim 36, wherein the vertical member securement means on the tongue comprises a lower edge of the lower section of the tongue which defines a notch having sloped sides which bind into the vertical member to prevent relative movement.

38. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure, as claimed in claim 31, wherein the tongue on the bracket includes a section outwardly projecting from the panel and having a lateral opening therein for closely receiving an end of the horizontal member and a horizontal section connected to the outwardly projecting section and having an opening therein for closely receiving the top of a vertical support member.

39. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect together and to an adjacent wall structure with the horizontal member having a narrower cross-section than the vertical member, which comprises:

(a) a plate suitable for engagement against the wall structure;

(b) means for securing the plate to the wall structure comprising a plate member spaced from and connected to the wall engagement plate for captively engaging the wall between such plates; and

(c) a pair of vertically aligned, spaced tabs connected to the plate which project outwardly from the panel, each having ends turned inwardly towards the ends of the other to form an enclosure which capitively receives the vertical member and wherein the ends of the tabs are spaced to closely receive opposite sides of the horizontal member.

40. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure with the horizontal member having a narrower cross-section than the vertical member, as claimed in claim 39, wherein the ends of the tabs which project inward include teeth which engage opposite side surfaces of the horizontal member to captively secure the horizontal member.

41. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure with the horizontal member having a narrower cross-section than the vertical member, as claimed in claim 40, wherein the tabs are resilient to permit insertion of the horizontal member and to thereafter bias the teeth against the sides of the horizontal member to captively secure the horizontal member.

42. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure with the horizontal member having a narrower cross-section than the vertical member, as claimed in claim 41, wherein the tabs integrally depend from the panel to which they are connected.

43. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect adjacent to a wall structure with the horizontal member having a narrower cross-section than the vertical member, as claimed in claim 39, further including a horizontally aligned tab which is connected to and projects out from the plate between the opposing tabs and having at least one prong thereon which projects downward to engage the top of the vertical member and at least one prong thereon which projects upward to engage the horizontal member to secure them against relative movement.

44. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect together and to an adjacent wall structure, which comprises:

(a) a plate suitable for engagement against the wall structure;

(b) means for securing the plate to the wall structure; and

(c) a horizontally aligned tab which is connected to and projects out from the plate and is positionable between the intersecting members and having at least one prong thereon which projects downward to engage the top of the vertical member and at least one prong thereon which projects upward to engage the horizontal support member to secure them against relative movement.

45. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member having a vertical passage therethrough near its end and a vertical member, the members intersecting adjacent to a wall structure, which comprises:

(a) a plate suitable for engagement against the wall of the structure;

(b) means for securing the plate to the wall structure; and

(c) a projection which is connected to and extends outward from the plate and then downward to form a leg passable through the hole in the horizontal member and into the vertical member to secure them against relative movement.

46. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member having a vertical passage therethrough near its end and a vertical member, the members intersecting adjacent to a wall structure, as claimed in claim 45, wherein the downward leg of the projection has a tapered lower end to permit the projection to be driven into the top of the vertical member.

47. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member having a vertical passage therethrough near its end and a vertical member, the members intersecting adjacent to a wall structure, as claimed in claim 46, wherein the projection is integral to the plate.

48. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect, which comprises;

(a) a planar body section securable to a side of the vertical member with upper surfaces defining a slot between them for receiving the horizontal member;

(b) transverse flanges connected to the planar body along opposite sides of the slot to stiffen the bracket and directed, slightly inwardly to clamp the sides of the horizontal member; and

(c) means for securing the bracket to the vertical support member.

49. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect, as claimed in claim 48, wherein the transverse flanges have a bottom edge for engagement against the top of the vertical support member.

50. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect, which comprises:

(a) a planar body having upper wall sections defining a slot for closely receiving the horizontal member;

(b) a transversely directed, horizontally aligned tab connected to the body positionable between the horizontal member and vertical member including means for engaging the bottom of the horizontal member and securing it against relative movement and means for engaging the top of the vertical member and securing it against relative movement;

(c) a pair of oppositely positioned lateral transverse flanges connected to the side of the body to stiffen the bracket and to closely receive the vertical member; and

(d) means for securing the bracket to the vertical member.

51. A bracket for use in connecting a horizontal member and a vertical member having ends which intersect, as claimed in claim 50, wherein the bracket is integrally formed with a tab forming the slot and having upwardly and downwardly projecting integral prongs on the tab for engaging the support members.